WHO chief arrives in Spain before hantavirus-hit ship evacuation

GENEVA, May 09 (AFP): The World Health Organization chief said Saturday he had arrived in Spain and would join government officials to oversee the disembarkation of a hantavirus-hit cruise ship in the Canary Islands.

"I arrived in Spain, where I will join senior government officials in a mission to Tenerife to oversee safe disembarkation of the passengers, crew members and health experts from MV Hondius cruise ship," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X.

Three passengers from the MV Hondius-a Dutch husband and wife and a German woman-have died, while others have fallen sick with the rare disease, which usually spreads among rodents.

The only hantavirus strain that can transmit from person to person-Andes virus-has been confirmed among those who have tested positive, fuelling international concern.